Training device



y 1948. E; A. LINK, JR 2,442,297

TRAINING DEVICE I Filed Jan. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' EDWIN A. u/v/qJ May 25, 1948. I E. A. LINK, JR 2,442,297

TRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 an um EDW/N ,4. L/NA, JR

\ May 25,1948. E A,L1NK,JR 2,442,297

TRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 14. 1939 4 Shee ts-Sheet s H EDWIN A. L/NK, JR.

May 25, 1948.

TRAINING Filed- J an. 14, 1939 E. A. LINK, JR

DEVICE 4 Sheet-Sheet 4 Patented May 25, 1948 UNITED SATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to training devices and more particularly to a training device for the instruction of aviators, and particularly pilots and navigators in the art of flying and navigation.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a training device wherein many of the conditions incidental to actual aerial navigation are accurately simulated.

A still further object is the provision of a simulation of astronomical bodies in their proper relation to a training device whereby a pilot may compute a theoretical position without recourse to the natural astronomical bodies customarily necessary for the purpose.

A still further object is the simulation, in combination with a training device, adapted to be maneuvered in a manner similar to actual aircraft, of a device projecting a simulated terrain over which the plane is theoretically passing, on a screen, means being provided whereby variation in course and speed occasioned by wind drift may be simulated.

A still further object is the provision of a dome or planetarium or other structure simulating the sky visible at a particular latitude and longitude together with means whereby the light from various illuminated objects simulating navigational stars may be concentrated and directed on a given point whereby a sextant reading may be taken from that point.

A further object resides in the provision of means whereby such an astronomical dome may be rotated to simulate the actual movement of astronomical bodies as well as shifted longitudinally with respect to the training device to accommodate differences in latitude, as Well as to compensate the distance flown at a given air speed.

A still further object resides in the provision of improved means for controlling the movement of the simulated terrain in accordance with direction and speed of flight from the training device per se.

A still further object resides in the provision of means whereby a pilot or other aviator may be trained in bombing in such manner that actual flying conditions, including the feel of movement ofa plane, are accurately simulated.

Additional objects reside in the provision of air speed, wind drift, wind direction, latitude, time and date controlling means under the control of an instructor whereby the student may be given any desired navigational flight or reconnaissance problem in simulation of actual conditions.

Other objects reside in simplification, improvement and novelty of constructional details.

Other objects will in part be pointed out and shown in the accompanying drawing.

The invention accordingly consists in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section disclosing the training device of the instant invention, the astronomical dome, the projecting means to simulate flight over terrain and the instructors control desk together with a fragmentary outline of a building containing such units,

Figure 2 is a top elevational view partly in section of the assembly shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the means simulating travel of the plane comprising the terrain projector,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, V

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the means accomplishing movement of the ground indicatmg means,

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of'the device of Figure 5,

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail view of the interior of the astronomical dome disclosing certain details of construction with relation to the projection of light therefrom,

Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 are wiring diagrams indicating the method of control and correlation of certain instruments all to be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and

Figure 12 is a front elevational view of the control panel by which the instructor regulates certain factors simulating flight conditions.

Figure 13 is a side View of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmg.

Having reference now to Figure 1' there is generally indicated at 20 a building containing and enclosing the apparatus of this invention and provided for the purpose of excluding external light in order to insure proper visibility of the artificial terrain and astronomical dome under simulated flying conditions. Within building 20 and supported in any suitable manner, preferably from the ceiling 2| thereof, is a framework 22 comprised of a U shaped member terminating in a supporting portion 23 upon which is mounted a training device generally indi- 3 cated at 24. Training device 24 is mounted on a universal joint 25 and movable by bellows 26 to vary the angle thereof upwardly or downwardly to simulate dive and climb and bank in a known manner as more fully disclosed in applicants Patent No. 1,825,462. The training device 24 in the preferred embodiment of the in vention is comprised of a four passenger construction to accommodate a pilot, a co-pilot, a radio operator and a, bomber or navigator which latter is seated under a transparent dome 21 for a purpose to be more fully pointed out here inafter. A transparent plate 28 is positioned at the bottom of the navigators cockpit in order that he may view theterrain as well as the simu; lated celestial conditions. that training device 24 maybe tilted upwardlytor downwardly as above mentioned and by movement of member 22, in a manner to be described hereinafter, may be rotated about the axis of the iv t r u m teemamter. lltq iml l te fl h in yiree ea.

Positioned beneath the. training device 24i is a t sp re tor. ranslucent member, so upon wh chs. h ownanma rom aprojecting deice sen allyindicated at 31!, to betmore fully d scr bedh r naiter. Rositione'd above transparent domel] .isa largehemispherical dome. or plan t r m 31 provided interiorly with a..plurali y of fl ghts .32 in simulation or. such celestial objects. as stars. A plurality or navigational stars are simulatedby. lights33 ofa different type, to be more, fully described hereinafteri Acontrol desk 49 .is provided fol: the. accommodation of an instructor and is provided with a plurality-encoutrols and indicators as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

Ingress to trainingdeviceibmay beefiected as bytmeans of stairs-4i leading to a platform 46 along. the side wall of building20-anda second platform 41 mounted on membert22 training device 24..being ,proyidediwitha door-or doors .48;

Having particulartref'erence nowto-dome 31 it will be; seensthat.thegsametis supported tby a pivot. 5.0 which in turn, is carriedby amember 54 supported by a curved toothed rack 52: Member BLcarries aplurality oftmotors which will be pointed out individually and discussed hereinafter.

Having. reference now'to theinstructors control desk I40. there is-positioned :therein an indicator 60 of a type more fully described-in-applicants. United States, Patent: 2,179,663, which, through suitable, connections .records on a chart 6} the. hypothetical course of. the training device when no wind is present. Aimicrophone -62:is

Drovided anda.- headset- 63=-allconnectedfor telephonic communication with-theinterior of the training. device iwhich is-likewise provided with a microphone and .head set (not shown.) Desk. 40; also, carries. a master. chronometer 64 and. a .control bo'ardgenerally indicated by the reference character 65. Control board 65 (see Figures 1 and. 12) .contains three-instruments or control. members, oneof which controlmembers 65.;governs, in amannerst'olbe,described hereinafter,- the ,position. of member leandlhencedome 3.1. on. toothed irackt 52, a.-.second of which, 61, controls,v in. a manner likewise to. be pointed out hereinafter, the. rotation of astronomical =dome 31-and the third ofwhich; 68 controls, also in a manner .to be. moreiully pointed out, the .simur. lation. of. wind-speed; Likevtisecontrolpanel 651.contains two. indicators. one; of which, 69,411" dicates -the;.relati-ve position. bfsthe dome in. an

Thus-it will be seen 4 gular relationship to the training device whereby to indicate the apparent latitude, as will be pointed out, the other of which 10, indicates the position of rotation of the dome in order to designate the apparent time, date and longitude. A combined control member and indicator 1| may be moved to designate and control artificial wind direction in a manner to be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

Referring now-to controllmember 6.6; aiconduit T2 containing a wiring system leads therefrom to a, motor 13 carried by supporting member 5| which motor when energized moves, through a system of gearing 14 (see Figure 2), member 5| and hence dome 37 along toothed rack 52 to governthe angular relation thereof with respect to the. trainingdevice; Likewise a system of wirin contained in a cable 15 leads from indicator 69--to a transmitter 16 which through the transmission of electrical impulses, in a known manner, indicatescn indicator 69 the. angle-crinclinatioreofzdome 3.;7zandl1encethe ostensiblelatl: tude. A: system: of; wiring contained; in: a. 6011*.- duitJT-Ieads from;contrp1 member 61, toaimotor 1-8:; which: contro s thronehzae stemioir sear n 19:: th speed; of rotation,- of dome; 35!. Likewise a. conduit: 80.. leading. from iIIdiCal'IOXI'IDL IGaaGSE to a transmitter 8| whichsin .armannenssimilarto transmitter 16; indicates atzall times. on indicator lt gthe position otrotatiomof: dome 3] .andhence designates the. timeofrday; the:- date, andithe longitude indicatedby. the position .ofrthe: slmua lated stars :within the; dome. A: conduit: 82 Pleads from conduit through-.chronometerGI -and in a. known imanner. controls :the: speediat which the. chronometermovesdn accordance with the speedof: rotation 1 oi: the -dome.- Thus: anartificial. time. may be created" if desired-since the speed .of-ith'ei vdome-may be=varieda t t the actual speed i corresponding to the apparent rotation of .-the galactic universe ormay bespeeded up in such a manner that a--problem"-in-navigation which; would normally require several hours .may. be accomplishediwithin V a relatively few minutes. Ancable containing: a-system-of wiring. 9lltleads from wind speedindicator--68-to a .means for controlling wind speed i as willbe morefully pointed-out hereinafter; Similarly a cable. 9 1- leads from combined wind direction indicator and control H -to--a-means for-controlling theostensiblewinddirection all to be more fully pointed outhereinatten In actual flying, thestars used for navigation are at so great-a distance-from the point of ob-- servation that adeviation in the position oi'-= a sextant'a few feet or more has-no measurable effect on, thereading thereof with respect to-the angular position of the star. However, simulated -.starsonly afewfeet' from the observer necessitate the! use oi a confined beam projected approximately to a' given -area-because -the movement of a sextant onlya'few' inches from a given area would cause a correspondingand-material deviation of :angle in. the reading. Accordingly, the simulated navigational stars represented by bulbs i Share eachsurrounded by: a collimator comprising. a disk; 96 'havinga small-opening 91 centrally thereon throughwhich: light beams forming simulated 5 stars 33 are projected-' to a spaced lens '98uwhich; in turn; directs. the-light beam in parallel -rays tea-point approximately beneath the axis of the dome' whenin: a. vertical position; In thusprojecting aconfined beam composed of parallel-rays to an-approximatelocation in the Trainer, a sextant may be employed within the field of the parallel rays an accurate reading may be made. If the sextant is moved out of this field the simulated stars can not be seen by the observer thus obviating an inaccurate reading.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention the Northern Hemisphere is simulated by the planetarium and only those navigational stars used in navigation in the Northern Hemisphere are supplied with collimators. These navigational stars are Arcturus, Regulus, Capella, Pollux, Aldebaran, Caph, Alpheratz, Deneb, Vega, Altair, and Polaris.

However, if desired, it will be understood that navigational and non-navigational stars simulating those stars visible from the Southern Hemisphere may also be positioned in the dome and arrangements so made that either those stars visible from the Northern or Southern Hemispheres may be illuminated independently.

Wires lead from all lights 32 and 30 to a suitable control cable and thence to wires I00 leading from the dome to suitable take-off rings I0! whereby current may be supplied to the lights from any desired source.

Referring back now to training device 20 mounted on member 22, suitable controls, as above mentioned, of a type disclosed in applicants above mentioned Patent No. 1,825,462, are provided from which an-electrical wiring system leads to a conduit I to a series of take-off rings I05 carried by a member I01 containing a pivot, which is energized for rotation through a belt drive I08 leading from an air motor I09 supplied with air by a turbine I09A whereby upon actuation of suitable controls to energize motor I09 the entire frame work 22 may be swung in a circle.

It should here be pointed out the wiring system for microphone 62 and receiving set 63 is carried through a cable H0 and thence to takeoff rings I06 into the interior of the trainer. A cable I supplies electrical power to turbine I09A as well as to training device 2 Having reference now to Figures 3 to 6 inclusive the projecting device 3|, as shown in Fi ure 1, is disclosed in detail. This device consists of a lantern slide plate I20 upon which is imprinted in any desired manner a map or photographic mosaic simulating any desired locale. Plate I20 is carried in a frame I2I mounted on rollers I22 which travel in tracks I23 at right angles to the length of plate I20. Map plate I20 is also movable lengthwise in frame I2I due to its slidable relation with suitable grooves I24 carried by frame IZI. Tracks I23 comprise portions of a frame I25 which in turn is mounted on rollers I25 which travel in tracks I21 in turn forming part of a frame member I28. Frame member I23 in turn is provided with rollers I29 which travel in fixed tracks I30 supported by the floor I3I of building 20.

Thus from the foregoing it will be seen that the simulated map I20 may move lengthwise through grooves I25 and sidewise on rollers I22 in grooves I23 and additionally have a second lengthwise movement through rollers I26 and grooves I21 and a second sidewise movement through rollers I29 and tracks I30. The purpose of this duplication of movement will be more fully pointed out hereinafter as will the method of achieving the same.

A projecting device I40 and a source of illumi- 6. nation I42, are carried by a support I45 and are positioned substantially centrally of map plate I20. This projecting device consists of magnifying lenses I II positioned above map I20 and the source of illumination I42 is positioned below may I20. Supporting framework I45 is afiixed to the floor I3I. Thus when light I42 is illuminated, in any desired manner, an enlarged image of that particular section of the map or artificial terrain adjacent the projector lens is thrown upon translucent screen 30 in a known manner whereupon the same becomes visible from the training device 24.

Means are provided for moving plate I20 in any direction in accordance with the position of training device 24, such means taking the form best shown in Figures 5 and 6. Motor carriers I50 are provided with take-off rings I5I and motors I52 which motors through a system of gearin I 52- rotate friction discs I50, Four of these motorcarriers are provided, two of which are carried by frame I25 as by brackets I60 which brackets are provided with motors I6I connected to gears I62 whereby the entire device may be rotated for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Two of these motors are thus in direct contact with map plate I20. Two other similar units are provided with corresponding motors I6Iaacting upon gears I221], and carried by brackets I63 secured to the floor or base I3I of building 20. The friction wheels or members of these devices abut the lower surface of frame member I25. The relative position of these members is disclosed in dotted lines in Figure 3, the two positioned lengthwise of the strip being in abutting relation with-map I20 and the two positioned at right angled relation to-the strip being in abutting relation with frame member I25. All of these men bers are suitably connected in a known manner, as through a conduit I10 to a suitable transmitting motor Il5 (see Figure 1) to which energization is supplied upon rotary movement of training device 24 imparted by the controls thereof thus varying simultaneously the position of each of these motor units. The particular control circuit will be discussed hereinafter. As illustrative, with'the trainer in the position shown in the drawing motor units I50 abutting strip I20 will move the same in a direction-towards the right hand side of the drawing. However, when the training device is turned through movement of frame member 22 to a right angled position with respect to the position shown in the. drawing motor units I50 will turn simultaneously to move map plate I20 in a direction, as seen in Figure 3, either upwardly or downwardly to simulate flight at right angles to the previous course. Thus when flyin lengthwise with respect to the map strip the same is moved in grooves I24 but when flying at right angles to this course the frame I2I is moved along grooves I23 in which rollers I22 ride. Thus any direction of flight may be simulated by the movement of the map strip in either of the above directions or any combinations of the two.

Having reference now to the second pair of motor units and their associated friction discs, these are for the purpose of determining wind direction and wind velocity and are controlled from controls 68 and II through conduits and 0I in a manner to be more specifically pointed out hereinafter. However, it may be here noted that their position with respect to frame member I25 is determined by the position of the Wind direction control and indicator and that in accordance with the position of this wind direction indicator 7;: hes u its: move fra e member}.- 12.5.: either.- lengthwisewofmap ;strip I 20 assby; rollers I ZGrin-I tracks I21 or atright angles to thelengthitherm of as by; rollers l 29; and, tracks 39; T'husdtwill;

motors fil-to brushes- 2i 8,- through wires 24 9and- 22it-to-o01d linen], Thus itwillbeseen thatair be seen that gtheassumed course oat-rave} oi the speethas simulated by the speed of those-motors trainer over=the groundmaybeisimulatedin such, manner as tov compensate' for? wind; directions Control. member BB: through controllin the. speed of-rotation=of1frietiondiscs I54 in .this last men tioned pair of motor units-likewise controls the artificial: wind 7 velocity, as will be pointedout; hereinafter;

Figure 8 comprises a wiring diagram showing themeans of supplyingpowerto motors-lIiltfor the control. of the direction of flight. simulated bythe training device. A moton of. a known type, such asa-motor- I15 for-transmittingielem trical impulses isassociated with-trainer and: suppliedwith power through power lines I'Idand I" which simultaneously-supply; power to. bothofmotors I6I as well asto recorder- 60. The circuit is athree phase circuit-of-a-knowntype and three controlwiresfor phase splittingJIB, I19, and I801-lead:from-motor I15 tobothof motors I8I-aswell as to recorderfill. Thus it will be. seen that any impulses transmitted to motor IIifrom the controls of the trainer in ordertogovern the direction thereof are-simultaneouslyand equally-'transmitted-to bothrof motors I61 and recorder 60. In the. above, theterm both motors I6I refers: only: to thosemotors which regulate the rotation of motor carriers I 5U Wh0$e rotating 'friction discs abutmap plate I;

Figure 9 discloses corresponding means oficon- I52 acting, upon-plate .I 20 may bevaried under the control of the pilot in the training device.

Nowlfrom thetforegoing'it will be seen that there -is ;herein-- provided a training device for the muse of'student-aviators which accomplishes alltheobjectsoi this invention and others includingmanyxadvantages oi great practicalutility. Suohobjeots-as'above pointed out reside in the pro-. vision of-a training'device which simulates many the observation ofstellar bodies, .means permitting-l the observation of terrain overwhich the plane-denying, means for: controlling the direction offlight, the altitude-andthe rate of dive and; climbj-- as: well: as means, simulating; such,

natural, conditions aswindispeed and wind direction. Likewise; problems-involving different lati-v tude, longitude; time ofj dayrand date may be arrangedz underv the: control of an instructor.

;.Agaih the speedof apparentigalactic rotation or time' mayi be: controlled'by the instructor to permit the achievement of a-relatively long flying problemin a relative short' time:

As,many.: embodiments. may" be made of: the

3o; inventive. concept-and asmany modifications may be made. of the embodiments hereinbefore. set forth and shown inlthe accompanying vdrawing it is .to...be.understood/that all matters hereinbefore settforth andzishownis to-be interpreted merely trolling. wind direction, wind I direction controls 1 uu trativgand:not-in alimiting sense.

to provide the required direction oimovementm of frame member I 25 hencesimulatingthe direction of'wind;

In Figure. 10 there is disclosed a schematic arrangement including controls 68 for varying thespeed ofmotor I52a, the reference character a" again designating: those motors which act upon frame I25: Here it will beseen-that wind speed control 68- acts upon a rheostat I98 positioned ina power line I99 feeding-current tov motors I52a. through wires 200: and 20-I. Suchcurrent is. supplied to one brush 20122013: each of: motors I52a, power returning from'the, motors through brushes 2Il3'to wires 204. andr2Il5 thenceto cold line 206:. Thus it will=.be seen .thatsthe. positioning of the 'pointers of windlspeedcont'rol 68*controls, through rheostat I98 the amountzof: current admitted to motors. I 52a and henceethe; speed'atwhich they rotate to vary thesimulated wind speedas desired.

Figure 11 shows a similar arrangement for. controlling thespeed' of motors l52. A; control: bar 21 o connected to a throttle intraining'dev-i'ce: 24'; all as disclosed in- Pat'ent Noi- 1,825,462; en. gages -a rheostat-ZI I an insulatorll 2 permitting tion, the combination" of i a grounded support fora studenti said support being mounted'for rotation about avertical axis, a course simulatin member 'comprising a-representation of a portion of the earths surface arranged for movement .to simulatethempvement over the earths surface of tliie'support; a screen visible from said'support; means foriprojecting the representation upon said course simulating'member to said screen, andineansoperated bythe rotation-of saidsupport about. the vertical axis'for changing the member'relative to said projecting means.

2; Ina device-for teaching the art of navigation, thecombination of a grounded support for a; student, saidsupport being-mounted for rota- 7, tion" aboutfa vertical axis, a course simulating member comprisinga representation of a portl'onoffthe earths'isulface arranged for movement tosimulate the. movement over the earths surface'otjtlie' support, a. screen visible from said supon said coursesirnulating member to said screen, means; associated with-said support for varying the rate: of travel of: said-course simulating member relative .to said projecting means, and means 5; operated: by, the rotation ofsaid support about the? vertical aXisafon changing; the direction of lllOVBIIlBDILOff-Sflid'COlll'SG simulating member'relative-to said projecting-means.-

3i In'a device-for teaching the art of navigation; the combination oia-grounded support for astudent; saidsupport being mounted for rotationf about'a' vertical axis, a: projection screen below said --support-" and visible therefrom, means for projecting a representation of a part-of the the currentto pass iroma lead -z I3 thr0ugh-r 78' earthssuriace upon said screen; said-' projecting of the conditions foundin actual flying including direction ,oimovement of saidcourse simulating a port, means foizprojecting therepreesntation ups.

means being coincident with the axis of rotation of said support.

4. In a device for teaching the art of navigation, the combination of a grounded support for a student, said support being mounted for rotation about a, vertical axis, a, propelling device remote from said support for driving a course simulating member, said propelling device comprising a wheel driven by a variable speed motor and an auto-synchronous motor for changing the direction .of said wheel, an auto-synchronous mtor associated with said support and controlled by the rotation of said support connected to said first mentioned auto-synchronous motorto change the direction of said wheel upon a rotation of said support, and a movable member associated with said support for controlling the speed of said variable speed motor.

EDWIN A. LINK, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 830,718 Holt Sept. .11, 1906 1,019,405 Atwood Mar. 5, 1912 1,109,665 :Cummings Sept. 8, 1914 1,293,747 Ford Feb. 11, 1919 10 Number Name Date 1,393,456 Ruggles Oct. 11, 1921 1,402,498 Horn Jan. 3, 1922 1,596,936 Mengden Aug. 24, 1926 1,701,582 Mengden Feb. 12, 1929 1,770,820 Tomasevich July 15, 1930 1,799,895 Graham et a1. Apr. 7, 1931 1,831,939 White Nov. 17, 1931 1,938,595 Karnes et a1 Dec. 12, 1933 1,985,265 Smith et al. Dec. 25, 1934 1,985,266 Smith et a1. Dec. 25, 1934 2,034,298 Holman Mar. 17, 1936 2,091,154 Matzner Aug. 24, 1937 2,099,857 Link Nov. 23, 1937 2,119,083 Link May 31, [1938 2,163,746 Courtois-Suffit et a1. June 27, 1939 2,164,412 Koster July 4, 1939 2,179,663 Link Nov. 14, 1939 2,364,539 Link Dec. 5, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 218,891 Germany 1910 384,971 Great Britain 1931 747,274 France 1933 OTHER REFERENCES Air Corps News Letter, vol. 21, No. 6, dated Mar. 15, 1938, pages 7 and 8. 

